Joyful Moments in Christ

The Greatest in God’s Kingdom

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus teaches that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes from humility and welcoming others in his name.

Lesson Objectives

1. Students will learn that Jesus values humility more than pride.
2. Students will understand that welcoming others in Jesus’ name honors both Jesus and God the Father.
3. Students will see that God uses many different people to do good works in Jesus’ name.
4. Students will be encouraged to show kindness instead of arguing about who is most important.

Class Setting Notes

1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
2. Lesson length: 45-60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

1. Write on the board: “Who is the greatest?”
2. Ask the class: “If you had to pick the greatest person in the world, who would it be and why?”
3. Let several students share answers, then ask: “Do you think Jesus sees greatness the same way we do?”

This activity helps introduce the idea that Jesus defines greatness differently than the world does.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 9:46-50 aloud together or have one person read it.

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 9:46-50 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 9:46-50 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 9:46-50 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 9:46-50 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 9:46-50 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 9:46-50 (ESV)

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

1. Listen for what the disciples are arguing about.
2. Notice how Jesus uses a child to teach a lesson.
3. Pay attention to what Jesus says about welcoming others.
4. Think about why Jesus told the disciples not to stop the man casting out demons.
5. Watch for what Jesus says is true greatness in God’s eyes.

Teacher Background Notes

1. In the culture of Jesus’ day, children were not valued as highly as adults, so Jesus’ use of a child as an example of greatness would have been surprising.
2. The disciples often struggled with pride and comparison, but Jesus consistently redirected them toward humility.
3. Welcoming a child in Jesus’ name is more than kindness; it reflects receiving Christ himself and the Father who sent him.
4. John’s concern about the outsider shows how easily people divide into “us” and “them.” Jesus’ response points to the broad work of God’s kingdom.
5. This passage connects to the broader theme of discipleship, reminding us that following Jesus is marked by humility, service, and unity.

Theological Insights

1. True greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by humility, not self-importance.
2. Jesus identifies with the lowly, showing that to welcome and serve others is to welcome him and the Father.
3. God’s kingdom work is not limited to one small group. God uses many people to accomplish his purposes in Jesus’ name.
4. Pride and rivalry hinder gospel work, but humility and cooperation display the heart of Christ.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. What were the disciples arguing about?
2. How did Jesus show them what greatness looks like?
3. Why was it important that Jesus chose a child for his lesson?
4. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Whoever is not against you is for you”?

Personal Reflection and Application

1. Why do you think people like to argue about being the best?
2. How can you practice humility in your family, school, or friendships this week?
3. Who is someone you could welcome or show kindness to in Jesus’ name?
4. How can you rejoice when others serve Jesus, even if they are not part of your group?

Suggested Activities

Greatness Reversed

1. Write a list of things people usually think make someone “great” (money, power, popularity, etc.).
2. Make another list of what Jesus says makes someone great (humility, serving, welcoming others).
3. Compare the two lists as a class. 

This activity helps students see the contrast between worldly and biblical greatness.

Welcoming Others

1. Bring a simple object (like a stuffed animal or small toy) to represent a child.
2. Ask one student to hold it and say, “When I welcome this child, I welcome Jesus.”
3. Invite others to take turns, connecting the lesson to real ways they can welcome people.

This activity helps students understand that welcoming others is connected to welcoming Jesus himself.

Who Is Helping?

1. Tell a story about two different people helping others in Jesus’ name, one from their own church and one from another group.
2. Ask the class: “Should we be glad for both? Why?”

This activity helps children learn to celebrate God’s work beyond their own circles.

Memory Verse

And said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Luke 9:48 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for teaching us that true greatness is found in humility. Help us to welcome others with kindness and to rejoice when your work is done in many places. Make us more like Jesus, who served and loved the least.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 9:46-50 here:

• ELL Bible Study: Luke 9:46-50 — Who Is the Greatest?

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Related Resources

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.